Contacts:
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Ethnie Groves, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2156
Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Wisconsin exports continued to show strong gains though the second quarter of 2005. The half-year total of $7.2 billion represents an increase of 18.4 percent over the same period in 2004. For the period, U.S. exports grew by 10.6 percent
“Wisconsin’s export growth rate continues to surpass that of the nation,” Governor Doyle said. “For the first half of 2005, our state ranks 18th in export volume, up from 21st over the same period in 2004. As Governor, I’m determined to build on this success and help our businesses continue to reach new markets.”
Governor Doyle will lead a trade mission to Poland and the Czech Republic from November 8-16, 2005. For the half-year, exports to Poland increased by 146.7 percent to $20.1 million and to the Czech Republic by 65.1 percent to $18.2 million. Companies interested in participating in the upcoming trade mission can contact Jennifer Winner, Department of Commerce, at 608-266-0413, or Lora Klenke, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, at 608-224-5119.
Through the second quarter, exports to Canada, Wisconsin’s largest international exporting market, grew by 9.4 percent to $2.7 billion. Exports to Mexico, Wisconsin’s second largest export market, were up 42.5 percent to $650.9 million. The United Kingdom ranked third in purchases from Wisconsin with a 30.8 percent increase to $336.9 million. Japan was fourth with a 6.0 percent increase to $319.1 million, and China ranked fifth with a 5.3-percent increase to $284.7 million.
Through the second quarter, industrial machinery, including computer equipment, continues to be Wisconsin’s top export commodity, growing by 18.4 percent to $2.6 billion. Medical instruments ranked second with an increase of 23.0 percent to $910.0 million. Electrical machinery ranked third with a 50.0-percent increase to $862.0 million. Transportation equipment ranked fourth with a 4.2-percent decline to $510.1 million. Paper and paperboard was the state’s fifth largest export with a 19.4-percent increase to $381.6 million.
Governor Doyle also led delegations of Wisconsin business and government leaders to Mexico in 2005 and to China and Japan in 2004.
